Over 40% of all P&I claims are due to damaged cargo caused by water ingress via the hatch covers. This represents $46.9m of damaged cargo every year. As a result, reports of leaking hatch covers are the most frequent case for selecting a vessel for an unscheduled condition survey.

Even small amounts of water can do extensive damage to cargoes. Steel products are the costliest

when it comes to wet damage - they make up 28% of claims – but dry bulk (22%) and bagged

bulk (14%) are also susceptible. Regular and efficient testing of hatch covers can, therefore, save

companies like you millions in claims for damaged cargo.

But the losses suffered by the shipping industry due to defective or poorly maintained hatch covers

shows no signs of diminishing. The 50 million GT, A- rated North of England P&I club says that

it continues to experience three to four claims each year valued between US$500,000 and US$

1,000,000 for waterdamaged cargoes resulting from hatch cover defects.

Hatch Cover TightnessTesting Device

2 | Hatch Cover Tightness Testing Device

Hatch covers on bulk carriers are subject to annual inspection by the Classification Societies surveyors.

The inspection covers the structural parts of the coamings and hatch covers as well as examining the closing, sealing and securing devices.

The “Guidelines on the Enhanced Programme of Inspection during Surveys” (ref. IMO Res. A744(18)) states that hatch cover sets should be surveyed open, closed, and in operation at each annual survey, including:

• Stowage and securing open position

• Proper fit and efficiency of sealing in closed condition

• Operational testing of hydraulic and power components, wires, chains and link drives

SOLAS Ch.XII states that all bulk carriers must comply with the maintenance requirements provided in the ‘Standards for Owners’ Inspections and Maintenance of Bulk Carrier Hatch Covers’. The hatch cover maintenance plan must also form a part of the ship’s safety management system as referred to in the ISM code.

Hatch Cover Testing Legislations

3 | Hatch Cover Tightness Testing Device

Ultrasonic Testing

There are three different kinds of tightness tests that can be used to check hatch covers for leakage which includes:

• Water-hose leak detection

• Chalk testing

• Ultrasonic testing

Ultrasonic testing is very simple in its operation and is the most accurate way to ensure your hatches are functioning correctly. Using just a transmitter and a detector the transmitter emits ultrasonic waves and is placed in the cargo hold. The hatch cover is closed, fully cleated and battened. The operator then uses the hand-held detector to listen for the ultrasonic waves from the outside, picking up all sounds that pass through the sealing arrangements, vents or cracks.

The effectiveness of a hatch cover tester is determined by the amount of energy that reaches the hatch cover. This is turn is determined by a combination of the primary dispersion pattern from the emitter and the first reflection pattern.

Hatch cover testers that rely on secondary and subsequent reflection patterns to direct the sound to the hatch cover are less effective due to the gradual loss of the sound at each reflection.

Unlike hose and chalk tests which only show if there is contact between the rubber packing and compression bar, ultrasonic testing indicates when you have the required compression and provides a precise location for any leakages. It only needs one operator and doesn’t rely on the cargo hold being emptied.

Inefficient Transmitter

Efficient Transmitter

4 | Hatch Cover Tightness Testing Device

Hatchtite™Ultrasonic Hatch Cover Testing Device

Because of its high power, unique design and pattern of emitters, Hatchtite™ is the most effective ultrasonic tester on the market. Over its lifetime, Hatchtite™ will cost you less than 70 cents per day per ship. You can also easily move Hatchtite™ from ship to ship.

Wouldn’t you and your company feel assured knowing that your cargo is safe because you made the decision to buy the best testing device on the market?

Realise the benefits today:

• Pinpoints small leaks are areas that lack compression

• Lightweight and portable

• Simple to use, accurate and reliable

• Can be carried without interfering with ships operations

• Full ABS Type Approval

Dome ConfigurationHatchtite™ uses 13, 40 KHz ultrasound emitters arranged on a dome. This produces an omnidirectional sound field that’s uniformly distributed throughout the cargo hold.

Emission Strength Hatchtite’s transmitter is 1,000 times more powerful than any other on the market so it’s able to give complete cover in even the largest of holds.

Low MaintenanceHatchtite’s runtime is 40 hours instead of the usual 10 and, while most ultrasonic transmitters need calibrating annually, Hatchtite™ will operate for 5 years before calibration is required.

Less Disruption Hatchtite™ can be easily lowered down into the hold whether the ship is empty or loaded so there’s no major interruption to operations.

Meets Regulations Hatchtite™ measures in decibels to comply with P&I club stipulations and DNV requirements.

Robust & Durable Hatchtite™ is rated IP66. It’s fully compliant with IACS Unified Requirement U.R.Z17 and is approved by insurers and P&I clubs.

Hatchtite™ Features

5 | Hatch Cover Tightness Testing Device

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

TransmitterDimensions 190 (L) x 100 (W) x 60 (D) mm max

Weight 200g

Case Material Impact resistant ABS with leather pouch

IP Rating IP66

Indicators 3No. Green LEDs – correct operation3No. Red LEDs – low battery indicator

Output 157dB @ 40KHz

Emitters 13 individual emitters

Power 6No. AA 1.5V Alkaline batteriesInput for 9 to 24V DC

User Controls ON/OFF switch

Battery Life 4-6 hours

ReceiverDimensions 160 (L) x 95 (W) x 38 (D) mm

Weight 225g

Case Material Impact resistant ABS with leather pouch

IP Rating IP66

User Controls OHV calibration control knobRemote control db/OHV Selector

Loudspeaker 1W - interna

Power 1 x PP3 9V alkaline disposable cell

Battery Life 40 hours

Headphone Colour coded BLUE3 accepts 3.5mm jack, stereo or mono inspection microphone socket colour coded RED

Socket Display 31/2 digit 12.7mm charactersLC Display

MicrophoneDimensions 10mm diameter, 1200mm extended, 300mm folded closed

Material Aluminium extension

Weight 200g

Carry CaseDimensions 450g x 320 x 100mm

Material Polycarbonate

Weight 1.9kg

6 | Hatch Cover Tightness Testing Device

We are dedicated to building a sustainable and profitable business while continuing to operate responsibly with honesty, integrity and fairness.

At Martek Marine, we are committed to establishing high ethical standards of behaviour and effective corporate governance. This defines our strategic and financial objectives. Corporate responsibility remains central to delivering our strategy and achieving our success.

We are committed to conducting business in an environmentally responsible manner. We are putting in place processes to understand and address our responsibilities in respect of our operational impacts on the environment.

We aim to reduce the use of replacement parts and calibration to help overcome waste and excessive carbon emission.

Pioneering sustainable and innovative solutions for ship safety, performance and crew welfare

Martek Sustainability Statement

Martek Marine Ltd (Head Office) Adwick Park Manvers Rotherham S63 5AB United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 (0) 1709 599 222 Email: info@martek-marine.com

Martek Marine Asia Pacific 1 Raffles Place Tower 2Level #19-61 & #20-61Singapore 048616

Telephone: +65 6808 5862 Email: info@martek-marine.com

Registered in England and Wales number: 03930003

• Headquarters in the UK• Asia-Pacific office in Singapore• Global network of distributors and service partners

MARTEK MARINE WORLDWIDE

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